Modi responsible for Pavagadh stampede

Published: Monday, October 15, 2007, 1:33 [IST]

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Gandhinagar, Oct 15: Blaming the ruling BJP government for a stampede in the Maha Kali temple at Pavagadh, in which 11 devotees were killed, Opposition Leader in Gujarat state assembly Arjun Modhwadia today demanded judicial inquiry against the Modi government.

''Lakhs of devotees flock the fair in Pavagadh every year.

Keeping this in mind, the government should have prepared a proper security plan that could have prevented the mishap. It is all due to the government's irresponsibility that the devotees lost their lives,'' Mr Modhwadia told reporters here.

Speaking on Champaner Fort at Pavagadh as the world heritage site declared by the UNESCO, he said ''Despite the fact that the UNESCO declared Champaner as the heritage site, Chief Minister Narendra Modi tried to take the credit to himself.'' ''Even Education Minister Anandiben Patel said on the floor of the assembly that the 14-km-long area around Champaner fort was declared as world heritage site only because of the efforts put in by Mr Modi. When the Modi government passed the bill of Champaner World Heritage Area Development Authority, we demanded that there should be more of public representation than that of the government officials. However, the government did not respond to our suggestion. Now, the same government officials are responsible for the mishap,'' alleged Mr Modhwadia.

''When there is a mishap at any religious place outside Gujarat, Mr Modi makes lots of hue and cry and demands resignation from that particular state's government. It is such a sad case that Mr Modi has failed to protect the lives of devotees in his own state,'' he added.